June 25, 2003Blagojevich touts legislation to lower
prescription drug costs in Mt. Carroll visitProgram for 1.5 million seniors and disabled
set to begin January 2004
MT. CARROLL, ILL. – A new state initiative designed to reduce prescription drug costs for seniors and the disabled by up to 30 percent should be ready to be rolled out in January 2004, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich said today during a visit at the Carroll County Senior Center, 306 N. Main.

June 25, 2003Blagojevich announces $20 million to
continue U.S. 20 improvementsFour-lane expansion designed to improve safety, help economy
ELIZABETH, ILL. – At the Apple River Fort, directly off Route 20, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced $20 million has been earmarked in the state’s next fiscal year budget to continue efforts to widen U.S. Route 20 – Glacier Shadow Pass -- in northwestern Illinois to four lanes from Freeport to Galena.

June 24, 2003Blagojevich touts legislation to lower
prescription drug costs in Oquawka visitProgram for 1.5 million seniors and disabled
set to begin January 2004
OQUAWKA, ILL. – A new state initiative designed to reduce prescription drug costs for seniors and the disabled by up to 30 percent should be ready to be rolled out in January 2004, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich said today during a visit at the Oquawka Senior Center, 4th and Schyler.

June 23, 2003Gov. Blagojevich visits StreatorBreaks ground on new fire station
Streator, IL – With the historic Streator Firehouse, 613 Main Street, in the background, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today joined state Senator Patrick Welch, Streator Mayor Ray Schmitt, Fire Chief William Wissen and local residents to announce the release of state funds for a new state-of-the-art fire station.

June 23, 2003Blagojevich touts legislation to lower
prescription drug costs in Kewanee visitProgram for 1.5 million seniors and disabled
set to begin January 2004
KEWANEE, ILL. – A new state initiative designed to reduce prescription drug costs for seniors and the disabled by up to 30 percent should be ready to be rolled out in January 2004, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich said today during a visit to an assisted living center here.

June 16, 2003Governor signs legislation to dramatically lower prescription drug costs for seniors and the disabledAppoints special advocates to oversee first-in-the nation drug discount club and leverage state drug purchases
CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation aimed at making prescription drugs more affordable for Illinois’ senior citizens and the disabled by creating a first of its kind program that combines the purchasing power of a drug discount club with that of state agencies that spend nearly $2 billion a year on drugs for state programs.

June 11, 2003Blagojevich signs legislation to spur growth in Illinois corn and soybean industries by investing in ethanol and biodiesel fuelsApproves bill to extend ethanol tax exemption for 10 years and to create grant program encouraging renewable fuel facilities development
DECATUR, ILL. – In an effort to boost the use of Illinois grown corn and soybeans as renewable energy sources, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation that extends the state sales tax exemption on ethanol, creates a new tax credit for biodiesel fuels and sets up a new grant program to encourage construction of renewable fuel production and research and development facilities.

June 6, 2003Governor appoints committee to select new Illinois poet laureateTakes part in ceremony renaming state library after former poet laureate Gwendolyn Brooks
SPRINGFIELD – At a ceremony in Springfield to rename the state library after Illinois’ former Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Brooks, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced a search committee to find a new Poet Laureate for the State of Illinois.

June 5, 2003Governor breaks ground on innovative genome instituteNew facility launches Illinois to the forefront of biological research
CHAMPAIGN – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today helped mark the start of a major development project at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign that will put Illinois at the forefront of modern biological research.

June 4, 2003Blagojevich announces first vetoes for FY04 budgetFunding Cut for Corrections’ Captains, Pay Raises Cut for Judges, Constitutional Officers, Agency Directors, Legislators
CHICAGO –Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the first vetoes of the FY04 budget – totaling just under $22 million – including a reduction of $17.3 million from the Department of Corrections, $3.7 million that would have been used for pay raises for judges, and $791,000 that would have been used for pay raises for government officials, including constitutional officers, agency directors and legislators.